BWRC Minutes Oct 2021 CITY OF BEVERLY
WASTE REDUCTION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 07, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Beverly Public Library, Sohier Room
Call to order: 6:33 PM.
Committee members present: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon, Joyce
Herman, Toni Musante, Lisa Willwerth
Committee members absent: John Swain
Invited participants and guests: Erina Keefe, Amy Henderson
Committee business
1. Welcome to Danielle Spang, Recording Secretary
Dillon's BWRC appointment expiration date needs to be updated on website.
2. Review minutes for September 2021 meeting
Dillon moved to approve the minutes; Willwerth seconded. The motion carried(6-0).
3. Committee member roles and responsibilities—preliminary discussion
Two vacancies remain on the Committee; reviewed ordinance to clarify Committee's
purpose, putting on agenda for next meeting to discuss direction for the Committee to
take moving forward (i.e., continue sponsoring events by BWRC)
Higgins to circulate draft description of proposed roles for review and feedback at
the next meeting working towards identifying skills/expertise/strengths for candidates to
fill the vacancies
4. Discuss possible collaboration with Green Beverly —pumpkin collection for composting
Proposing Sunday, November 7th at New Entry Farm at Moraine Farm (waiting on
confirmation for venue and assistance from Black Earth)
Pete Frates 5k is at Lynch Park at LOAM on November 7th as well
Pumpkins cannot go to Stanley Street—yard waste only, no food waste; only
alternative is through compost pickups
Willwerth to coordinate with Green Beverly re: whether the event moves forward,
and how BWRC can support the event(volunteers, educational table/booth, newspaper
origami cups for pumpkin seeds to plant at home, etc)
Composting updates
1. Curbside program
Higgins has the last 8-9 bins at her house, after the last bin is given away coordinating
with Keefe and Black Earth to change the language on their website for the coupon code
and Black Earth to deliver bins
1,386 participants citywide currently; average monthly sign-ups have decreased in
August/September/October after increasing from 2019 through 2020 to July 2021
City has 4-6 boxes of countertop bins to give away while supplies last
Bootstraps and City Compost bucket subscription alternatives
Black Earth accepting volunteer(s) to store and distribute bins for a year of free
composting services
2. Pilot program for drop-off collection
Keefe and Mayor Cahill met with abutting neighbors this evening to answer questions
and it will be a 64-gallon locking toter, with a keycode lock access, and secured to the
fence with a locked cable in the parking lot at Bessie Baker Park, 373R Cabot St. Free to
Beverly residents, accessible 24/7, registration form inquires reasons for use, and
includes knowledge quiz on what can/cannot go in the bin as well as proper usage (not
share the code, keep everything inside, lock behind you, use bio bags or paper bags)
BWRC to help monitor site daily or every-other-day to ensure proper use, Black
Earth will pick-up on Tuesdays/Fridays,feedback form to log any issues through Google
form
Preregistration link is live now, bin will likely be installed by the end of next week
Keefe is working on signage program next
3. Composting in schools
Beverly High School is composting; understanding is that yes other schools compost
from the kitchen area (kitchen scraps/food waste) and Keefe will confirm
City updates and discussion items
1. Community meetings (10/14 and 10/21 at 7:00 PM via Zoom)
City to present update on trash/recycling contract and foster discussion on textile
recycling, curbside composting, composting drop-off station, and recycling
contamination issues (report any issues with yard waste collection to City)
BWRC invited to introduce themselves and identify their role in City Higgins
available for 10121, recommends two committee members attend each meeting to present
or answer questions
2. Water bill insert
Going out to City residents with QR codes linking to City websites (Composting,
Recyclopedia, Textile Recycling, Library of Things, Trash& Recycling page)
Library tracks website traffic (see if uptick) and monitor weight for textile recycling
for any increase as well
3. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)legislation
Many bills (packaging legislation, expanded bottle bill, paint recycling, mattress
recycling, etc.)requesting support through signing on, look into voting to recommend the
City through Mayor/City Council endorse proposed impactful legislation likely to pass
4. Other
Backyard composting bins will be sold for $25/bin likely through Aubuchon
Hardware +/or Unpacked Living with an anticipated rollout in spring 2022
Discuss interest in electronics collection and/or Styrofoam collection event
Electronics collection event discussion tabled, pending scope of Committee discussion.
Salem reached out re:joint Styrofoam collection event, proposed for Jan. 8th or 15th at the
Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street, Salem. General interest from Committee to request
more information on cost, number of trucks, time, etc.
Add to next meeting's agenda with more information re:plans/cost
Old business and miscellaneous items
1. Green Beverly Q&A coaching: questions for the Committee currently emailed to
Higgins, looking for it to transition to a shared responsibility within the Committee
Picture of BWRC members taken for the bio/profile picture
Upcoming events
None.
Other updates and discussion items by Committee members
Possibly adding solar panels (buy/rent on roof, and/or solar fields)to the agenda at another
meeting.
Green Beverly with Beverly Public Library hosted event with Jimi Carnazza of Full Circle
Earth on home composting (video to be posted to Green Beverly's website).
Adjourn: Dillon moved to adjourn;Burgess seconded. The motion carried(6-0) at 8:14 PM.
NEXT MEETING:
November 4, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Location: Beverly Public Library, Barnet Gallery